By: Brendan Losinski | Fraser-Clinton Chronicle | Published October 13, 2023
FRASER — The Fraser Public Library is spreading the word that it is back up and running at its new temporary site and offering some great programs for fall.
The library was forced to move its programming and as much of its collection as possible to the temporary site after a vehicle crashed through a wall at the main library building in May. They began offering services once more by September.
“It’s great to see people coming back now that we’re open again,” said Kristen Getzin, the programming and youth services librarian. “They started work a couple of weeks ago on the main building, but I don’t know what exactly they are doing because the city isn’t keeping us in the loop on that. So, that means we don’t know exactly how long it’s going to take until we can move back in. They gave us a nine-month timeframe, but that could get extended longer because it was a structural wall that got damaged and that could lead to complications.”
The temporary location is located at two addresses that share the same parking lot: 15260 15 Mile Road and 15240 15 Mile Road.
“One side has the computers, programming space and study space, and the other half has all of the books, CDs and DVDs,” Getzin said. “If anyone is confused, they just have to pop their head into one station and we can direct you where to go. You can check out in the event space, and we do keep periodicals and large print books here on this side.”
While there have been challenges adapting the library’s activities to the new location, library staff said they believe they are managing to provide the same level of service and opportunities as before.
“The temporary location is smaller than our previous location, so we’ve had to pare down our collection to the most circulated items that we have,” Getzin said. “Luckily, when we moved in, we had more space than we thought we were going to have so we were able to move some additional items in. We have fewer computers available because we have less space and we can’t make our programs as big because of those space constraints, but other than that, it’s been really nice.”
“We’ve been trying to plan lots of smaller programs like crafts because we have limited space,” added programming assistant Shaine Samulak. “We are still trying to vary things. We’ve moved a lot to virtual programming as well. We have sleep storytime that is virtual, and we have the upcoming Dungeons & Dragons program that is also virtual. … It’s been a little challenging moving everything and shifting some things to virtual programming, but it’s nothing we can’t handle. We are still trying to increase attendance for our virtual programs, for instance.”
There are several upcoming activities planned at the library’s temporary location, all of which people can register to join on the library’s website at fraserpubliclibrary.org, on the calendar page.
“We’ve got some really cool things coming up,” said Getzin. “At the end of October, we always do a big Halloween push, because, why not, it’s a fun holiday. We’re actually inviting in a group of puppeteers, Alex Thomas and Friends, and they will be here at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28, the same day as our trunk-or-treat event, and they will be doing a spooky puppet show.”
The activities will include both in-person and virtual programs.
“We are doing our last movie night of the season in October. It’s going to be ‘Hotel Transylvania.’ We do that outside on Friday nights at 8 p.m., which is Oct. 20,” Getzin said. “We’re also doing cork bats that you can make in your house, and that will be at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27. We’re also doing a special (Dungeons & Dragons) session open only for teens and adults, from 5-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24.”
November also will have some fun attractions.
“We’ve got some more crafts in November,” said Getzin. “We have our craft nights on the third Thursday of each month. This is for adults and teens. It’s always been popular, but for whatever reason, it’s been gangbusters this year. In November, we’re leading people in making hombre pinecones, so you can color a pinecone. That will be 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16. We encourage people to come early so they have time to get the craft done. … There also will be a craft day for kids to make leaf suncatchers. This will be the first Saturday of the month, which is at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4. This is designed specifically for kiddos.”
Both Getzin and Samulak hope Fraser residents will continue to support their local library and enjoy what it offers despite the unforeseen challenges of the past few months.
“Definitely stop by and see us,” Getzin said. “Just because we’re in a temporary location doesn’t mean we can’t help you find what you need. We’re still getting our MeLCat items. We still get deliveries from other libraries. We may not have a book here on-site because it’s in storage, but we can definitely get it. It only takes a couple of days. It’s no more difficult than coming in and asking, the same way you would put a popular item on hold.”
“We’re still here, we’re still offering as much as we can, even in these new circumstances,” added Samulak. “We’re still trying to make things exciting and new and try new things.”